Linn-Mar Baseball

Predictions for Linn-Mar baseball in 2011

Strengths

Depth and five returning players with all-conference recognition are seen as the strengths of the Linn-Mar program, according to Coach Chad Lechner.

“We have a lot of kids who have played a lot of baseball at pretty high levels," Lechner said.

The Lions' outfield of Aaron Hunter, Jordan Stroschein and Michael Redmond all received recognition at one level or another from the Mississippi Valley Conference last season. Shortstop Ben Larison and infielder/pitcher Jake Stolley were the other two receiving conference recognition.

Challenges

Numbers are usually not a problem, but shuffling through the numbers to find the right combinations for success is definitely a challenge.  Getting that settled will take time, and there is not a lot of that from May 1 to opening game. The pitching staff graduated a lot of innings from last season, and inexperienced pitching is always a challenge in the Valley.

Read more...

Larison signs to play at Kirkwood

Jefferson outfielder Michael Rooney and Linn-Mar middle infielder Ben Larison have signed letters-of-intent to play baseball at Kirkwood Community College in 2012.

Rooney hit .350 with five homers and 30 RBIs for Jefferson last season as their leadoff hitter and center fielder. He's looking forward to joining the Eagles next season.

"It's really exciting," he said. "The past few years I've been wondering whether I'm good enough to play in college. It just feels good to have other people recognize you and think you're good enough to play for them."

Rooney said he also considered Wartburg and Coe.

Larison hit .383 with one homer and 31 RBIs for Linn-Mar last season as their shortstop, although he'll probably move to second base at Kirkwood.

"It just seems like Kirkwood was the best opportunity, both academically and athletically," he said. "I love baseball. It's a great opportunity."

Larison said he considered other junior colleges in Iowa and Minnesota before picking Kirkwood.

Moms go the distance to showcase sons

FORT MYERS, Fla – There are undoubtably thousands of “baseball moms” scattered all across the country. These are the women who go the extra mile to make sure their sons stay involved with baseball and continue to share the same passion they have for the game.

In the cases of Melissa Stickney and Paula Greve, it’s an extra 1,400 miles.

The two moms from east-central Iowa were in southwest Florida last week with their sons Mitch Stickney and Nathan Greve for the Perfect Game National Underclass Showcase-Main Event at the Boston Red Sox 5-Plex Player Development Complex and Terry Park.

What makes their situation unique is that the two moms and two sons are the only members of the traveling party that flew out of the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, two days after Christmas. The husbands and dads – Mike Stickney of Marion and David Greve of Cedar Rapids – stayed home.

These are truly “baseball moms.” Paula’s parents have a home in nearby Punta Gorda, Fla., so the Greve family has made numerous visits to this end of the beach.

Read more...